Acoustic guitars

DonovanB · 2010-11-25T17:01:44+00:00

So I'm keen to get a decent steel string acoustic. I'm using them a lot more and am growing attached to the idea. What are the options? I tried out an Ibanez AW 15, 40 and 85. A few Guilds and a Taylor with a hectic V shape neck. and so far the Ibanez 85 comes out tops for me. Anything else I should look at seriously? I don't want to ignore budget altogether, I'm not looking for a R100k guitar, but what are the quality guitars out there on a Medium budget? I liked the Martin, although it's slightly out of my budget it could be worth saving for? let's hear the thoughts...

racman

I have played an awful lot of acoustic guitars in my time and here is what I have found:

I have played far fewer bad guitars than guitars I have played badly!!!! ? ?

Squonk

deefstes wrote
So, to make a long story short, buy a Takamine or if you can afford something high end, play as many Martins, Taylors and Larrivees as you can get your hands on and establish which is the tone that speaks to you.

There are some nasty low end Takamines, The higher end Takamines are excellent value and can compete with the Taylors, Martins etc.

@ Zohn, I have played some excellent Yamaha Acoustics over the years but these were generally the older models.
The APX and CPX range all sound like poop unplugged (could be the thinner bodies) but I think these are engineered for a plugged in tone, which surprisingly is very good..

You cant beat an old battered Yamaha classical ?

AlanRatcliffe

Takamine do some great stuff in the higher priced ranges. We don't see as many of the good'uns here as we used to for some reason. Classicals too - while I have a great Yamaha GD-20, the Tak Hirade H8 would actually be my first choice if I were buying today.

Squonk wrote You cant beat an old battered Yamaha classical ?

Certainly, I'm not letting anyone beat my old Yamaha (which has a beautiful and pristine French Polished finish):

Mr-M

Have you ever tried a Breedlove? Music Connection import them. Having played a few I have to say they really are great guitars, with a very distinctive look and more importantly great tone and feel. Next time you're in JHB give them a try. Whenever I'm next the market for an acoustic, I'm going to get a Breedlove.

http://breedlovemusic.com/

The T has spoken! ?

[deleted]

+1 On the Taks

always loved them. There top end guitars are amazing. I dreamt of a Nashville Takamine for many years, still do :-[ AMAZING!!!

Here is a famous scene, all Taks if I am not mistaken, they not half bad ?

Nashville 760 Series

Mr T wrote Have you ever tried a Breedlove? Music Connection import them. Having played a few I have to say they really are great guitars, with a very distinctive look and more importantly great tone and feel. Next time you're in JHB give them a try. Whenever I'm next the market for an acoustic, I'm going to get a Breedlove.

http://breedlovemusic.com/

The T has spoken! ?

I said the same thing, Masterclass IV, or a Phoenix... Now where is that R80,000.00 ?

Mr-M

Brentcgp wrote
Mr T wrote http://breedlovemusic.com/
I said the same thing, Masterclass IV, or a Phoenix... Now where is that R80,000.00 ?

Indeed! They're not all quite that dear though. I see guitarboy also mentioned them too.

Donovan, maybe guitarboy would let you try his if you asked nicely?

MikeM

Love these cutaways... I am getting acoustic gas ?

RobK

MikeM wrote
... I am getting acoustic gas ?

Is that gas, like when you're in a lift and you really have to let one go, and you hope it's silent, but it comes out with a sort of high pitched "fweeeeeeeep" :roflmao:

Sorry, couldn't resist. ?

MikeM

Lets just say I can hold it really well ?

guitarboy2828

Don, any time you wana try out my breedlove, you're more than welcome too. Mine is a cedar top, so not the normal sounding topwood, but i love it's tonal qualities ?

DonovanB

Thanks for all the info guys.

Paul I might just take you up on that offer.

I think what I need to do here is take my time, and keep the cash handy for when a good deal comes up in the classifieds. I did like the Takamines that i played. but do I want a guitar that nobody knows how to pronounce the name??

[deleted]

Donovan Banks wrote Thanks for all the info guys.

Paul I might just take you up on that offer.

I think what I need to do here is take my time, and keep the cash handy for when a good deal comes up in the classifieds. I did like the Takamines that i played. but do I want a guitar that nobody knows how to pronounce the name??

Then Larrivee is outta the question for sure ?

+1 on taking your time, play them all.. there are some beautiful guitars out there

vipev

Hi all, Probably been covered before but… If you could have just one acoustic guitar for all genres you play or would like to play, what would it be? My choice would be a Martin D-28 of any year, but that’s just me.

RCVN

vipev Most of us plebs are sitting without Martins 😁

But I would vouch for a Taylor GS Mini. Great all round traveler, has amazing sound, versatile and compact.

It's definitely not the best guitar out there, but it's probably the best bang for buck.

I almost got a mini myself but opted for a Crafter DGXE ROSE Dragon after falling in love with it.

TKG

For my style (jazz fingerstyle /chord melody stuff...) I have been just bowled over by the little unassuming Taylor GS Mini. What a wonderful and utterly playable guitar. Maybe I'm just too easily pleased, but this is the guitar goes with me whenever I pack to go anywhere. Camping, Richtersveld, waiting in the car for something or someone... Hours become like minutes. My hat goes off to Bob Taylor and David Judd for this design.

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